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EP 0 124 324 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
(45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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11.11.1987 Bulletin 1987/46 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 18.04.1984 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC)4: G01F 11/28 |
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Electrical metering dispenser
Elektrische Dosiereinrichtung
Doseur électrique
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Designated Contracting States: |
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DE FR GB |
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Priority: |
22.04.1983 AU 9029/83
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Date of publication of application: |
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07.11.1984 Bulletin 1984/45 |
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Applicant: PETER BAYLY ASSOCIATES AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. |
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Balwyn
Victoria, 3103 (AU) |
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(72) |
Inventors: |
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- Bayly, Peter Kingsley
Kangaroo Ground
3097, Victoria (AU)
- Oretti, John Ernest
Doncaster
3108, Victoria (AU)
- Mote, Michael James
Glen Iris
3146, Victoria (AU)
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(74) |
Representative: Moon, Donald Keith et al |
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BREWER & SON
Quality House
Quality Court
Chancery Lane London WC2A 1HT London WC2A 1HT (GB) |
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] This invention relates to dispensers for liquids, powders, and other flowable materials
and is particularly concerned with such dispensers having a metering facility. It
will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with particular reference
to liquid metering dispensers, but the invention is not limited to this particular
use.
[0002] Liquid metering dispensers are commonly used for beverages in establishments catering
to the public and it is therefore necessary that they be both accurate and hygenic
in use. Many dispensers used in the past have generally failed to meet at least one
if not both of these requirements. Metering devices developed in the past for overcoming
these problems are described in United Kingdom GB Patent Specification Nos. 2,067,516
and 2,077,230.
[0003] The present invention relates to metering dispensers of the same general kind as
shown in this prior art. Such dispensers include a metering chamber, an inlet valve
for admitting flowable material to the metering chamber, an outlet valve for allowing
discharge of material from the metering chamber and valve control means operative
to control operation of the inlet and outlet valves so as to change the condition
of the dispenser between a fill condition in which the inlet valve is open and the
outlet valve is closed and a discharge condition in which the outlet valve is open
and the inlet valve is closed. Such a metering dispenser will be referred to hereinafter
when convenient as a dispenser "of the kind described".
[0004] In GB Patent Specification No. 2,067,516 there is shown a mechanical valve control
means including a valve control member which consists of a yoke which is movable between
two extreme positions corresponding respectively to the fill and discharge conditions
and having an intermediate unstable position through which the yoke must pass to change
from one position to the other, the yoke being spring biased so that when in its intermediate
position under the influence of a biasing spring to either of the two extreme positions.
This mechanism was not found readily suitable for electrical operation and the valve
operating mechanism shown in GB Patent Specification No. 2,077,230 was developed for
electrical operation. The electrical system for operating the valve control means
in GB Patent Specification No. 2,077,230 is relatively complex and expensive since
it includes for example an electric motor, gearing and a cam member.
[0005] In US-A-3913807 there is shown a metering dispenser having an integral valve spool
arranged for controlling fluid flow through charging, metering, and discharge chambers,
between inlet and outlet ports. Movement of a spool is operable by an electrical device
through a crank.
[0006] In GB-A-2101088 there is shown a beverage dispensing machine in which the ingredients
are dispensed by an electromagnetically operable ball valve. The amount of an ingredient
dispensed is controlled by the length of time a control button is depressed.
[0007] It is an aim of the present invention to provide a metering dispenser which includes
an improved timing means.
[0008] According to the present invention there is provided a metering dispenser including
a metering chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, an inlet valve for admitting
flowable material to the metering chamber through the inlet port, an outlet valve
for allowing discharge of material from the metering chamber through the outlet port,
and valve control means operative to control operation of the inlet and outlet valves
so as to change the condition of the dispenser between a fill condition in which the
inlet port is opened and the outlet port is closed and a discharge condition in which
the outlet port is opened and the inlet port is closed, said valve control means being
arranged to cause said inlet port to close before opening said outlet port during
transfer from the fill to the discharge condition, characterised in that said valve
control means is electrically operable and includes timing means operative to generate
a discharge timing signal representative of the duration that the dispenser is to
be maintained in its discharge condition, the timing means including a pulse generator
for generating pulses at a predetermined frequency and counter means for determining
when a predetermined number of said pulses has been generated so as to determine the
duration of a discharge period during which said dispenser is maintained in its discharge
condition allowing discharge of flowable material from the metering chamber, said
valve control means further including electrically operable valve operating means
operable in response to the discharge timing signal generated by the timing means
to change the dispenser from its fill to its discharge condition and to maintain the
dispenser in its discharge condition for the discharge period, the valve operating
means being also operative to return the dispenser from its discharge to its fill
condition at the end of said discharge period, the timing means being further operative
to generate a disabling timing signal so as to prevent a restarting of the dispenser
operating cycle for a predetermined time after return of the dispenser from the discharge
to the fill condition, thereby enabling refilling of the metering chamber.
[0009] Conveniently, the dispenser may include a valve control member operatively associated
with the inlet and outlet valves and biasing means associated with the valve control
member and biasing it into a position in which the dispenser is in its fill condition,
the electrically operable valve operating means being operative to move the valve
control member against the action of the biasing means to effect changing of the dispenser
from its fill to its discharge condition, In this embodiment the valve operating means
may include a solenoid which is arranged to be energised for the duration of the discharge
period so as to change the dispenser from the fill to the discharge condition and
to maintain the dispenser in that condition for the duration of the discharge period.
The solenoid may have an associated operating member movable in response to energisation
of the solenoid, the operating member being mechanically associated with the valve
control member to move the same.
[0010] Preferably the timing means is selectively adjustable so as to enable user selection
of different discharge periods less than the period required for complete discharge
of the metering chamber contents and thereby allow selection of quantities of material
to be dispensed less than the full capacity of the metering chamber.
[0011] A possible preferred embodiment according to the present invention will now be described
with particular reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a metering dispenser according to the present
invention and shown in the fill condition,
Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the dispenser according to the embodiment
of Figure 1 in its discharge condition,
Figure 3 is as a block circuit diagram of a valve control means usable with the dispenser
of Figures 1 and 2, and
Figure 4 is a logic or flow diagram for operation of the microprocessor included in
the circuit of Figure 3.
[0012] Before describing the operation of the electrical circuitry, it will be convenient
to describe the mechanical aspects of the preferred dispenser in Figures 1 and 2.
[0013] The metering dispenser illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings includes a
metering chamber 11 having an inlet port 12 and an outlet port 13. An inlet valve
14 is operative to admit flowable material to the metering chamber 11 through the
inlet port 12 and outlet valve 15 is operative to allow discharge of the material
from the chamber 11 through the outlet port 13. Valve control means 16 is operative
to control operation of the inlet and outlet valves 14, 15 so as to change the condition
of the metering dispenser between a fill condition (Figure 1) in which the inlet port
12 is open and the outlet port 13 is closed, and a discharge condition (Figure 2)
in which the outlet port 13 is open and the inlet port 12 is closed.
[0014] The valve control means 16 includes valve control member 17 operatively associated
with the inlet and outlet valves 14, 15 and being pivotally movable between two extreme
limits of pivotal movement which correspond respectively to the fill and discharge
conditions. Control biasing means 18 is associated with the valve control member 17
and biases the valve control member 17 towards the one of the extreme limits of pivotal
movement corresponding to the dispenser being in the fill condition (Figure 1). The
valve control means 16 also includes valve operating means 19 operative to move the
valve control member 17 _ against the action of the biasing means 18 to change the
dispenser from its fill to its discharge condition for a predetermined discharge period
allowing discharge of material from the chamber 11 through the outlet port 13.
[0015] The valve control member 17 is pivotally movable about a point or fulcrum 20 located
between the inlet and outlet valves 14, 15. As shown in Figure 1, in the fill condition
of the dispenser, the pivoted member 17 is at one extreme limit of its range of pivotal
movement and is normally maintained in that position by the control biasing means
18. However, after contents discharge, the valve operating means 19 is operative to
cause or allow the valve control member 17 to return under the action of the control
biasing means 18 to its initial position in which the dispenser is in the fill condition.
[0016] Preferably the general arrangement of the metering chamber 11 and inlet and outlet
valves 14, 15 is generally the same as described in United Kingdom GB Patent Specification
Numbers 2,067,516 and 2,077,230. In this arrangement, the metering chamber 11 includes
a rear wall 22 and the inlet and outlet valves 14, 15 have rearwardly extending tail
portions 23, 24 which extend beyond the rear wall 22 and which are operated upon to
open the inlet and outlet ports 12, 13. In this arrangement, the pivoted valve control
member 17 is mounted between the tail portions 23, 24 of the inlet and outlet valves
14,15 and is provided with operating portions 25, 26 associated with the respective
tail portions 23, 24. As mentioned above, the control biasing means 18 biases the
pivoted valve control member 17 into a position in which the inlet valve 14 holds
the inlet port 12 open (Figure 1) and the outlet valve 15 closes the outlet port 13.
The control biasing means 18 biases the pivoted valve control member 17 into a position
in which the inlet valve 14 holds the inlet port 12 open (Figures 1 and 2) and the
outlet valve 15 closes the outlet port 13. Each of the inlet and outlet valves 14,
15 includes a respective associated valve biasing means biasing the valve to its port
closing position and which is in the form of a resilient sleeve 27, 28 surrounding
the valve stem 29, 30. The strength of the biasing force of the resilient sleeves
27, 28 is less than the strength of the biasing force of the control biasing means
18. Thus, in the fill condition of the dispenser, the inlet valve 14 holds the inlet
port 12 open under the dominant action of the control biasing means 18 and against
the closing force of the resilient sleeve 27, and the outlet valve 15 holds the outlet
port 13 closed under the action of the resilient sleeve 28.
[0017] The valve control member 17 illustrated comprises a pivoted block 33 located rearwardly
of the rear wall 22 of the metering chamber 11 and between the inlet and outlet valve
tail portions 23, 24. The block 33 is pivotally mounted on fulcrum 20 which is illustrated
in the general form of a projection extending rearwardly from the rear wall 22 and
located generally centrally between the inlet and outlet valve tail portions 23, 24.
[0018] Each of the tail portions 23, 24 of the inlet and outlet valves 14, 15 is provided
with a head portion 34, 35. Each of the operating portions 25, 26 of the valve control
block 33 comprises an abutment or shoulder on the valve control block. In the illustrated
embodiments each head portion 34, 35 includes a lateral projection 36, 37 which is
arranged to be engaged by the respective abutment 25, 26 when the valve control block
33 is pivoted about the fulcrum 20 so as to move the tail portion 23, 24 of the valve
14, 15 in the direction away from the associated port 12, 13 to thereby operate the
respective valve 14, 15 to open the respective port 12, 13.
[0019] The control biasing means 18 is directly associated with the valve control member
17 so as to act directly thereon and bias the valve control member 17 to its extreme
limit of pivotal movement corresponding to the fill condition of the dispenser. The
control biasing means 18 is illustrated as comprising a spring 40 extending between
the pivoted valve control member 17 and a portion of the valve body. The point of
connection of the spring 40 to the valve control member 17 being located to one side
of the fulcrum 20 so that the spring 40 urges the valve control member 17 to its extreme
limit of pivotal movement corresponding to the fill condition of the dispenser and
as shown in Figure 1.
[0020] The valve operating means 19 is operative, after causing change of the dispenser
from its fill to its discharge condition, to prevent return of the valve control member
17 to its initial position for a predetermined discharge period until a predetermined
proportion of the material in the metering chamber 11 is discharged.
[0021] The valve control means 16 is electrically operable and includes timing means (oscillator
80 and microprocessor 81 in Figure 3) operative to generate a timing signal. The valve
operating means 19 is electrically operable and is responsive to the timing signal
generated by the timing means to change the dispenser from its fill to its discharge
condition and to maintain the dispenser in its discharge condition for a predetermined
discharge period allowing discharge of flowable material from the metering chamber
11. The valve operating means 19 is also operative to return the dispenser from its
discharge to its fill condition after material discharge.
[0022] The valve operating means 19 is operative to move the valve control member 17 against
the action of the biasing means 18 to effect changing of the dispenser from its fill
to its discharge condition. The valve operating means 19 includes a solenoid 61 which
is arranged to be energised for the duration of the discharge period so as to change
the dispenser from the fill to the discharge condition and to maintain the dispenser
in that condition for the duration of the discharge period. The valve control means
16 includes switching means (a function of microprocessor 81 in Figure 3) operative
to switch power to the solenoid 61 for the duration of the discharge period and to
disconnect power from the solenoid 61 at the end of the discharge period.
[0023] The solenoid 61 has an associated operating member 62 illustrated as a plunger and
which is mechanically associated with the valve control member 17 and is operative
to move the member .17 from its initial position as shown in Figure 1 in which the
dispenser is in the fill condition against the action of the biasing means 18 to a
second position (Figure 2) in which the dispenser is in its discharge condition and
to maintain the valve control member 17 in the second position for as long as the
solenoid 61 is energised. The biasing means 18 associated with the valve control member
17 is operative to return the control member 17 to its initial position and hence
return the dispenser from its discharge to its fill condition upon deenergisation
of the solenoid 61. As shown in Figure 1, the operating plunger 62 is provided with
a laterally projecting pin 63 which engages in a recess 64 provided in the pivoted
valve control member 17 so that the operating plunger 62 moves the valve control member
17 about the fulcrum 20 upon energisation of the solenoid 61.
[0024] The dispenser illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 includes lost motion means operative
so that the inlet valve 14 closes the inlet port 12 before the outlet valve 15 opens
the outlet port 13 in changing of the dispenser from its fill condition to its discharge
condition. The lost motion means is also operative so that in changing of the dispenser
from its discharge to its fill condition, the outlet valve 15 closes the outlet port
13 before the inlet valve 14 opens the inlet port 12. The provision of lost motion
means operative in this fashion ensures that both valves 14, 15 cannot be open at
the same time which would otherwise enable dispensing of an excess amount of material.
[0025] The lost motion means is provided by a degree of free travel of the valve control
member 17 which, starting its pivotal movement from its initial extreme limit of pivotal
movement in which the dispenser is in the fill condition (Figure 1), allows the inlet
valve 14 to close the inlet port 12 before the valve control member 17 operates the
outlet valve 15 to open the outlet port 13 and achieve the discharge condition. Likewise,
before the outlet valve 15 has been operated to open the outlet port 13 during the
change from the fill to the discharge condition, the valve control member 17 disengages
from the inlet valve 14 after it has closed so that when the dispenser is returning
from the discharge to the fill condition, the valve control member 17 allows the outlet
valve 15 to close the outlet port 13 before reen- gaging with the inlet valve 14 and
opening the inlet port 12. In the particular preferred embodiment illustrated, in
which the valve control member 17 comprises pivoted block 33 having abutments 25,
26 which engage with projections 36, 37 on the tail portions 23, 24 of the valves
14, 15, the free travel providing the lost motion means is achieved by enabling the
abutments 25, 26 on the valve control block 33 to disengage from the projections 36,
37 on the tail portions 23, - 24 after the respective valves have closed but before
the respective limit of pivotal movement of the pivoted valve control block 33 is
reached. In particular, in Figure 1 the abutment 26 which engages with projection
37 of the tail portion 24 of the outlet valve 15 is shown separated from that projection
37 so that upon anti-clockwise movement of the control block 33 about fulcrum 20 during
change from the fill to the discharge condition, the abutment 26 must travel a certain
distance (during which the inlet valve 14 closes the inlet port 12) before engaging
with the projection 37 and operating the outlet valve 15 to open the outlet port 13.
Similarly, as shown in Figure 2, the separation between abutment 25 and projections
36 provides lost motion during operation of the inlet valve 14.
[0026] The dispenser also includes air bleed means 50 operable when the dispenser is in
its discharge condition (Figure 2) to admit air to the metering chamber 11 facilitating
discharge of flowable material therefrom through the outlet port 13, the air bleed
means 50 being operated by the valve control member 17 when it reaches its extreme
limit of pivotal movement corresponding to the discharge condition of the dispenser.
The air bleed means comprises a bleed valve 51 located in the rear wall 22 of the
chamber 11 between inlet and outlet valves 14,15. The bleed valve 51 is normally closed
as shown in Figure 1. The bleed valve 51 has an inwardly projecting head portion 52
which is engaged by the pivoted valve control block 33 when it reaches its extreme
limit of pivotal movement in changing from the fill to the discharge condition, engagement
of the head portion 52 by the valve control block 33 causing the bleed valve to open
as shown in Figure 2, thereby allowing air to enter the chamber 13 and facilitate
discharge of the chamber contents through outlet port 13.
[0027] The timing means is operative to generate a discharge timing signal representative
of the duration that the dispenser is to be maintained in its discharge conditon.
The timing means includes a pulse generator illustrated as oscillator 80 in Figure
3 for generating pulses at a predetermined frequency and counter means (part of microprocessor
81) for determining when a predetermined number of the pulses have been generated
so as to determine the discharge period. During the discharge period the microprocessor
81 is operative to apply a signal to solenoid buffer and driver 82 which in turn applies
power to solenoid 61 to maintain the solenoid energised. At the end of the discharge
period as determined by the counter means, the solenoid 61 is deenergised so that
the dispenser changes from its discharge back to its fill condition. The counter means
may conveniently comprise a register within the microprocessor 81 and for counting
the number of pulses generated together with associated logic means for initiating
return of the dispenser from the discharge to the fill condition when a predetermined
number of pulses has been counted by the register.
[0028] The timing means is further operative to generate a disabling timing signal so as
to prevent a restarting of the dispenser operating cycle for a predetermined time
after return of the dispenser from the discharge to the fill condition, thereby enabling
refilling of the metering chamber 11. The timing means for generating the disabling
timing signal may be generally of the same construction and manner of operation as
the timing means for generating the discharge timing signal. That is, the timing means
may include a pulse generator (e.g. the same oscillator 80) and associated counter
means forming part of microprocessor 81 and for determining when a predetermined number
of pulses has been generated, the disabling timing signal being generated from the
start of the dispenser operating signal until the predetermined number of pulses has
been generated, the valve control means 16 being operative to prevent restarting of
the dispenser operating cycle from the fill condition until termination of the disabling
timing signal.
[0029] In the Figure 3 embodiment, the timing means includes oscillator 80 which generates
a pulse train of predetermined frequency, the timing means also including two counters
as part of the microprocessor 81, one for determining the discharge period and the
second for determining the disabling timing signal period or total cycle period, the
total cycle period being longer than the discharge period so that after the end of
the discharge period and return of the dispenser from the discharge to the fill condition,
the operating cycle continues for a period of time sufficient for the metering chamber
11 to refill. As mentioned above, preferably reactivation of the dispenser to discharge
a further quantity of material is prevented until the operating cycle is completed.
[0030] The timing means is preferably selectively adjustable so as to enable user selection
of different discharge periods less than the period required for complete discharge
of the metering chamber contents and thereby allow selection of quantities of material
to be dispensed less than the full capacity of the chamber 11. For this purpose, the
counter means included in the timing means may be selectively adjustable so that the
duration of the discharge period can be selected for enabling discharge of part only
of the chamber contents. The quantities to be discharged which can be selected may
be con- tinuousloy variable or in the preferred arrangement, the dispenser may be
calibrated so that a limited number of predetermined quantities can be selected. In
particular, the dispenser may include a number of manually operable quantity selection
switches 83, any one of which can be selected by a user for a respective quantity
of material to be dispensed, the quantity selection switches 83 being coupled to the
timing means (microprocessor 81) so as to determine the discharge period and hence
the quantity of material to be dispensed. In the case of selection of a discharge
period less than the time needed for total discharge of the chamber contents, the
complete operating cycle of the dispenser may also be of shorter duration. That is,
the discharge period is shortened as well as the total cycle period, the difference
between the two periods being the time required for the metering chamber 11 to be
refilled after return of the dispenser from the discharge to the fill condition, this
refill period being capable of being made shorter than the refill period required
for refilling of the chamber 11 after complete discharge.
[0031] In Figure 3, the microprocessor and oscillator would, in use, be connected to an
appropriate power supply 85. Also, there would be provided appropriate start-up circuitry
86 for providing the desired initial conditions including resetting of registers,
etc. The oscillator 80 could be arranged to continuously supply pulses of a predetermined
frequency to the microprocessor 81. The micro processor 81 would include a central
processing unit and control logic 87, appropriate input/output ports 88 and appropriate
memory 90 consisting of a read-only memory (ROM) 91 containing the control program
and the preprogrammed data values, and a random access memory (RAM) 92 comprising
temporary data values retrieved from the ROM 91 during operation. In the preferred
embodiment described above where one of several discharge periods can be preselected,
there are provided a plurality of quantity selection switches 83, one of which would
be user operable for each dispensing operation to select the amount of material to
be dispensed. The quantity selection switches 83 are coupled to the input/ output
ports 88 of the microprocessor 81 together with a main switch 93 which is user operable
to initiate a dispensing operating. The microprocessor 81 is coupled so as to drive
display lights 94, for example for indicating whichever of the quantity selection
switches 83 is chosen by the operator. Also, if desired, the microprocessor 81 can
be used to drive, through an appropriate buffer 95, a counter 96 which may be for
example an electro-mechanical counter for providing a display of the total quantity
of material dispensed to date.
[0032] In operation of the valve control means 16 including the microprocessor 81, the user
selects the material quantity to be dispensed by closing one of the selection switches
.83 and then activates the main switch 93. The microprocessor 81 provides a timing
signal to solenoid buffer and driver 82 upon commencement of the operating cycle so
as to energise the solenoid 61 and change the dispenser from the fill to the discharge
condition. The registers of the microprocessor 81, initially reset to zero, provide
a cumulative total of the number of pulses generated by oscillator 80 since the closing
of the main switch 93. The microprocessor 81 is programmed to continuously test whether
the number of counts in the first or discharge register corresponds to the number
preprogrammed for the particular quantity selected and held in RAM 92. When the discharge
register count reaches the preprogrammed number, the signal to the solenoid buffer
and driver 82 is discontinued, thus deenergising the solenoid 61 and returning the
dispenser from the discharge to the fill condition. The second register, which measures
the total cycle time is also continuously monitored so that when the second register
count reaches the preprogrammed value held in the RAM 92, and corresponding to the
total cycle time (longer than the discharge time) the microprocessor 81 and the registers
are reset so that the microprocessor 81 is ready to accept a signal for initiating
a subsequent dispensing operation.
[0033] Preferably, the microprocessor 81 is programmed so as to require a short delay between
user operation of one of the quantity selection switches 83 and acceptance of a signal
from the main switch 93 in order to commence the dispensing operation. That is, there
is provided a short delay between the first sensing of the closure of one of the selection
switches 83 and priming of the microprocessor 81 before accepting a start signal from
the main switch 93. This delay would inhibit or prevent spurious signals such as noise
signals from interfering with the desired operation of the dispenser. Similarly, there
may also be provided a short delay between the sensing of the closure of the main
switch 93 and the actual initiation of the operating cycle. This delay would enable
microprocessor checking that the main operating switch 93 is actually closed before
the operating cycle is commenced.
[0034] To indicate termination of the discharge period when the solenoid 61 is deenergised,
the microprocessor 81 may be programmed to cause flashing of the display light 94
corresponding to the quantity selected thereby indicating to the user that the dispensing
operation has been completed, but warning that restarting of the operating cycle is
not to be attempted immediately as the dispenser has been returned to the fill condition
and some delay is required for the metering chamber 11 to be completely refilled.
At the end of the total operating cycle, the display light 94 corresponding to the
selected quantity to be dispensed can be illuminated continuously to indicate the
quantity which was last selected and also to indicate that the dispenser is now ready
to repeat the cycle operation or to accept a different selection switch operation
if a different quantity of material is to be next dispensed.
[0035] The flow diagram illustrated in Figure 4 provides an outline of the programming of
the microprocessor 81 such that it will carry out the functions required as earlier
described. The flow diagram in Figure 4 will be understood by those skilled in the
art and therefore no detailed description thereof need be given.
[0036] It will be seen that the preferred construction and arrangement of the dispenser
as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings is effective in operation.
Different quantities of material can be discharged according to user selection. Also,
the electrical valve control means may be manufactured relatively cheaply.
[0037] Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions
can be made to the construction and arrangement of parts as herein described without
departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
1. A metering dispenser including a metering chamber (11) having an inlet port (12)
and an outlet port (13), an inlet valve (14) for admitting flowable material to the
metering chamber (11) through the inlet port (12), an outlet valve (15) for allowing
discharge of material from the metering chamber (11) through the outlet port (13),
and valve control means (16) operative to control operation of the inlet and outlet
valves (14, 15) so as to change the condition of the dispenser between a fill condition
in which the inlet port (12) is opened and the outlet port (13) is closed and a discharge
condition in which the outlet port (13) is opened and the inlet port (12) is closed,
said valve control means (16) being arranged to cause said inlet port (12) to close
before opening said outlet port (13) during transfer from the fill to the discharge
condition, characterised in that said valve control means (16) is electrically operable
and includes timing means (80, 81) operative to generate a discharge timing signal
representative of the duration that the dispenser is to be maintained in its discharge
condition, the timing means (80,81) including a pulse generator (80) for generating
pulses at a predetermined frequency and counter means (81) for determining when a
predetermined number of said pulses has been generated so as to determine the duration
of a discharge period during which said dispenser is maintained in its discharge condition
allowing discharge of flowable material from the metering chamber (11), said valve
control means (16) further including electrically operable valve operating means (19)
operable in response to the discharge timing signal generated by the timing means
(80, 81) to change the dispenser from its fill to its discharge condition and to maintain
the dispenser in its discharge condition for the discharge period, the valve operating
means (19) being also operative to return the dispenser from its discharge to its
fill condition at the end of said discharge period, the timing means (80, 81) being
further operative to generate a disabling timing signal so as to prevent a restarting
of the dispenser operating cycle for a predetermined time after return of the dispenser
from the discharge to the fill condition, thereby enabling refilling of the metering
chamber (11).
2. A metering dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the timing means (80, 81) is
operable to generate the disabling timing signal from the start of the dispenser operating
cycle until the predetermined number of pulses has been generated, the valve control
means (16) being operative to prevent restarting of the dispenser operating cycle
from the fill condition until termination of _the disabling timing signal.
3. A metering dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and further including a valve
control member (17) operatively associated with the inlet and outlet valves (14, 15)
and biasing means (18) associated with the valve control member (17) and biasing it
into a position in which the dispenser is in its fill condition, the electrically
operable valve operating means (19) being operative to move the valve control member
(17) against the action of the biasing means (18) to effect changing of the dispenser
from its fill to its discharge condition.
4. A metering dispenser as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the valve operating means
(19) includes a solenoid (61) which is arranged to be energised for the duration of
the discharge period so as to change the dispenser from the fill to the discharge
condition and to maintain the dispenser in that condition for the duration of the
discharge period.
5. A metering dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the valve operating means (19)
includes switching means (81) operative to switch power to the solenoid (61) for the
duration of the discharge period and to disconnect power from the solenoid (61) at
the end of the discharge period.
6. A metering dispenser as claimed in claim 4 or 5, and further including a valve
control member (17) operatively associated with the inlet and outlet valves (14, 15)
and biasing means (18) associated with the valve control member (17) and biasing it
into a position in which the dispenser is in its fill condition, the valve operating
means (19) being operative to move the valve control member (17) against the action
of the biasing means (18) to effect change of the dispenser from its fill to its discharge
condition, an operating member (62) associated with the solenoid (61) and movable
in response to energisation thereof, the operating member (62) and being mechanically
associated with the valve control member (17) and being operative to move the valve
control member (17) from its initial position in which the dispenser is in the fill
condition against the action of the biasing means (18) to a second position in which
the dispenser is in its discharge condition and to maintain the valve control member
(17) in said second position for as long as the solenoid (61) is energised, the biasing
means (18) associated with the valve control member (17) being operative to return
the control member (17) to its initial position and hence to return the dispenser
from its discharge to its fill condition upon deenergisation of the solenoid (61).
7. A metering dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
timing means (80, 81) is selectively adjustable so as to enable user selection of
different discharge periods less than the period required for complete discharge of
the metering chamber (11) contents and thereby allow selection of quantities of material
to be dispensed less than the full capacity of the metering chamber (11).
8. A metering dispenser as claimed in claim 7, further including a number of manually
operable quantity selection switches (83), any one of which can be selected by a user
for a respective quantity of material to be dispensed, the quantity selection switches
(83) being coupled to the timing means (80, 81) so as to determine the discharge period
and hence the quantity of material to be dispensed.
9. A metering dispenser as claimed in claim 8, and further including a main switch
(93) which is user operable to initiate a dispensing operation, the valve control
means (16) requiring a short delay between user operation of one of the quantity selection
switches (83) and acceptance of a signal from the main switch (93) in order to commence
the dispensing operation.
1. Zumessende Dosieinrichtung mit einer eine Einlaßöffnung (12) und eine Auslaßöffnung
(13) aufweisenden Meßkammer (11), einem das Einfließen von fließfähigem Material durch
die Einlaßöffnung in die Meßkammer zulassenden Einlaßventil (14), einem ein Entleeren
des Materials aus der Maßkammer (11) durch die Ausla- βöffnung (13) ermöglichenden
Auslaßventil (15) und mit einem zum Steuern des Betriebs des Einlaß- und des Auslaßventiles
(14,15) dienenden Ventilsteuermittel (16), um damit den Betriebszustand der Dosiereinrichtung
von einem Zustand zum Füllen, in dem die Einlaßöffnung (12) geöffnet und die Auslaßöffnung
(13) geschlossen ist, in einen Zustand zum Entleeren zu überführen, in dem die Auslaßöffnung
(13) geöffnet und die Einlaßöffnung (13) geöffnet und die Einlaßöffnung (12) geschlossen
ist, wobei das Ventilsteuermittel (16) so gestaltet ist, daß es bei einem Übergang
von dem Zustand zum Füllen in den Zustand zum Entleeren die Einlaßffnung (12) verschließt,
bevor es die Auslaöffnung (13) öffnet, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Ventilsteuermittel
(16) elektrisch betätigbar ist und Zeitsteuermittel (80, 81) aufweist, die dazu dienen,
ein Entleerungszeitsteuersignal zu erzeugen, das für die Dauer, während der sich die
Dosiereinrichtung in dem Zustand zum Entleeren befinden soll, kennzeichnend ist, daß
die Zeitsteuermittel (80,81) einen Impulsgenerator (80) zur Erzeugung von Impulsen
mit einer vorbestimmten Frequenz sowie Zählermittel (81) umfassen, durch die feststellbar
ist, ob eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Impulsen erzeugt wurde, um damit die Zeitdauer
einer Entleerungsphase festzulegen, während der sich die Dosiereinrichtung in ihrem
ein Entleeren des fließfähigen Materials aus der Maßkammer (11) ermöglichenden Zustand
befindet, daß das Ventilsteuermittel (16) weiterhin elektrisch betätigbare und abhängig
von dem durch das ZeitsteuermitteI (80, 81) erzeugte Entleerungszeitsteuersignal arbeitende
Ventilbetätatigungsmittel (19) aufweist, um die Dosiereinrichtung von ihrem Zustand
zum Füllen in ihren Zustand zum Entleeren zu überführen und um die Dosiereinrichtung
für die Entleerungsphase in ihrem Zustand zum Entleeren zu halten, daß die Ventilbetätigungsmittel
(19) auch dazu dienen, die Dosiereinrichtung am Ende der Entleerungsphase aus ihrem
Zustand zum Entleeren in ihren Zustand zum Füllen zurückzubringen, und daß die Zwitsteuermittel
(80, 81) weiterhin dazu dienen, ein Sperrzeitsignal zu erzeugen, um damit für eine
vorbestimmte Zeit, nachdem die Dosiereinrichtung von dem Zustand zum Entleeren in
den Zustand zum Füllen gewechselt hat, einen Neustart des Arbeitszyklus der Dosiereinrichtung
zu verhindern und hierdurch ein Wiederauffüllen der Meßkammer (11) zu ermöglichen.
2. Zumessende Dosiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zeitsteuermittel
(80, 81 ) derart wirken, daß sie das Sperrzeitsignal ab dem Beginn des Arbeitszyklus
der Dosiereinrichtung erzeugen, bis eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Impulsen erzeugt
worden ist, und daß das Ventilsteuermittel (16) in dem Sinne arbeitet, daß es von
dem Zustand zum Füllen bis zum Ende des Sperrzeitsignales einen Neustart des Arbeitszyklus
der Dosiereinrichtung verhindert.
3. Zumessende Dosiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
sie weiterhin ein mit dem Eilaß- und Auslaßventil (14,15) getrieblich verbundenes
Ventilsteuerglied (17) sowie ein Vorspannmittel aufweist, das dem Ventilsteuerglied
(17) zugeordnet ist und dieses in eine Stellung vorspannt, in der sich die Dosiereienrichtung
in ihrem Zustand zum Füllen befindet, und daß die elektrisch betätigbaren Ventilbetätigungsmittel
(19) dazu dienen, das Ventilbetätigungsglied (17) gegen die Wirkung des Vorspannmittels
(18) zu bewegen, um einen Übergang der Dosiereinrichtung aus ihrem Zustand zum Füllen
in ihren Zustand zum Entleeren zu bewirken.
4. Zumessende Dosiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Ventilbetätigungsmittel (19) eine Magnetspule (61) aufweisen, die dazu eingerichtet
ist, für die Dauer der Entleerungsphase mit Energie beaufschlagt zu werden, um so
die Dosiereinrichtung aus ihrem Zustand zum Füllen in ihren Zustand zum Entleeren
zu überführen und die Dosiereinrichtung für die Dauer der Entleerungsphase in diesem
Zustand zu halten.
5. Zumessende Dosiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Ventilbetätigungsmittel
(19) Schaltermittel (81) aufweisen, die dazu dienen, für die Dauer der Entleerungsphase
einen Strom durch die Magnetspule (61) einzuschalten, und am Ende der Entleerungsphase
den Strom durch die Magnetspule (61) abzuschalten.
6. Zumessende Dosiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
sie weiterhin ein mit dem Einlaß- und Auslaßventil (14, 15) getrieblich verbundenes
Ventilsteuerglied (17) sowie ein Vorspannmittel aufweist, das dem Ventilsteuerglied
(17) zugeordnet ist und dieses in eine Stellung vorspannt, in der sich die Dosiereinrichtung
in ihrem Zustand zum Füllen befindet, daß die elektrisch betätigbaren Ventilbetätigungsmittel
(19) dazu dienen, das Ventilbetätigungsglied (17) gegen die Wirkung des Vorspannmittels
(18) zu bewegen, um einen Übergang der Dosiereinrichtung aus ihrem Zustand zum Füllen
in ihren Zustand zum Entleeren zu bewirken, daß ein der Magnetspule (61) zugeordnetes
und in Abhängigkeit von deren Beaufschlagung mit Energie bewegbares Betätigungsglied
(62) vorhanden ist, daß das Betätigungsglied (62) mit dem Ventilsteuerglied (17) mechanisch
verbunden ist und dazu dient, das Ventilsteuerglied (17) aus seiner Ruhestellung,
in der sich die Dosiereinrichtung im Zustand zum Füllen befindet, gegen die Wirkung
des Vorspannmittels (18) in eine zweite Stellung zu bewegen, in der sich die Dosiereinrichtung
im Zustand zum Entleeren befindet, und das Ventilsteuerglied (17) in dieser zweiten
Stellung so lange zu halten, wie die Magnetspule (61) mit Energie beaufschlagt ist,
und daß das mit dem Ventilsteuerglied (17) verbundene Vorspannmittel (18) dazu dient,
das Ventilsteuerglied (17) in seine Ruhestellung zurückzubringen und so die Dosiereinrichtung
beim Abschalten der Energie an der Magnetspule aus ihrem Zustand zum Entleeren in
ihren Zustand zum Füllen zurückzubringen.
7. Zumessende Dosiereinrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Zeitsteuermittel (80, 81) wahlweise einstellbar sind, derart, daß eine benutzerseitige
Auswahl unterschiedlicher Entleerungsphasen möglich ist, die kürzer sind als die zur
vollständigen Abgabe der Inhalte der Meßkammer (11) benötigte Zeitdauer, und hierdurch
eine Auswahl der Mengen von auszugebendem Material zu gestatten, die kleiner sind
als das gesamte Fassungsvermögen der Meßkammer (11).
8. Zumessende Dosiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie eine
Anzahl von Hand bedienbarer Mengenwahlschalter (83) aufweist, von denen jeder für
eine entsprechende Menge auszugebenden Materials angewählt werden kann, und daß die
Mengenwahlschalter (83) mit den Zeitsteuermitteln (80, 81) verbunden sind, um so die
Entleerungsphase und damit die Menge des auszugebenden Materials festzulegen.
9. Zumessende Dosiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie einen
durch einen Benutzer zu betätigenden Hauptschalter (93) aufweist, um einen Ausgabevorgang
einzuleiten, und daß das Ventilsteuermittel (16) eine kurze Verzögerung zwischen einer
Betätigung eines der Mengenwahlschalter durch einen Benutzer und dem Aufnehmen eines
Signales von dem Hauptschalter (93) benötigt, um den Ausgabevorgang zu beginnen.
1. Distributeur-doseur comprenant une chambre de dosage (11) présentant un orifice
d'entrée (12) et un orificie de sortie (13), une soupape d'entrée (14) permettant
l'admission, dans cette chambre de dosage (11) et par cet orifice d'entrée (12), d'une
matière pouvant s'écouler, une soupape de sortie (15) permettant l'évacuation de cette
matière hors de la chambre de dosage (11) par l'orifice de sortie (13) et des moyens
de commande de soupapes (16) qui servent à commander le fonctionnement des soupapes
d'entrée et de sortie (14,15) de façon à faire varier l'état du distributeur entre
un état de remplissage dans lequel l'orifice d'entrée (12) est ouvert et l'orifice
de sortie (13), fermé et un état d'évacuation dans lequel l'orifice de sortie (13)
est ouvert et l'orifice d'entrée (12), fermé, ces moyens de commande de soupapes (16)
étant agencés de façon à faire se fermer l'orifice d'entrée (12) avant l'ouverture
de l'orifice de sortie (13) lors du passage de l'état de remplissage à l'état d'évacuation,
caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de commande de soupapes (16) sont à commande
électrique et comprennent un dispositif de minuterie (80, 81) servant à produire un
signal de minutage d'évacuation représentatif de la durée pendant laquelle le distributeur
doit être maintenu dans son état d'évacuation, ce dispositif de minuterie (80, 81)
comprenant un générateur d'impulsions (80) permettant de produire des impulsions à
une fréquence préfixée et des moyens de comptage (81) permettant de déterminer le
moment où a été produit un nombre préfixé des dites impulsions, de façon à déterminer
la durée d'une période d'évacuation au cours de laquelle le distributeur est maintenu
dans son état d'évacuation permettant l'évacuation, hors de la chambre de dosage (11),
d'une matière pouvant s'écouler, lesdits moyens de commande de soupapes (16) comprenant
en outre des moyens d'actionnement de soupapes (19) à commande électrique et pouvant
être actionnés, sous l'effet du signal de minutage d'évacuation produit par le dispositif
de minuterie (80, 81), de façon à faire passer le distributeur de son état de remplissage
à son état d'évacuation et à maintenir ce distributeur dans cet état d'évacuation
pendant la période d'évacuation, ces moyens d'actionnement de soupapes (19) servant
aussi à replacer le distributeur de son état d'évacuation à son état de remplissage
à la fin de ladite période d'évacuation, le dispositif de minuterie (80, 81) servant
en outre à produire un signal de minutage d'invalidation de façon à empêcher un redémarrage
du cycle de fonctionnement du distributeur pendant un intervalle préfixé de temps,
à la suite du retour du distributeur de l'état d'évacuation à l'état de remplissage,
ce qui autorise ainsi un nouveau remplissage de la chambre de dosage (11).
2. Distributeur-doseur conforme à la revendication 1, dans lequel on peut faire fonctionner
le dispositif de minuterie (80, 81) de façon à ne pas produire, à partir du début
du cycle de fonctionnement du distributeur, le signal de minutage d'invalidation avant
qu'ait été produit le nombre préfixé d'impulsions, les moyens de commande de soupapes
(16) servant à empêcher que le cycle de fonctionnement du distributeur à partir de
l'état de remplissage ne redémarre tant que le signal de minutage d'invalidation n'est
pas expiré.
3. Distributeur-doseur conforme à la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, et comportant
en outre un organe de commande de soupapes (17) associé en fonctionnement aux soupapes
d'entrée et de sortie (14, 15), et des moyens de sollicitation élastique (18) qui
sont associés à cet organe de commande de soupapes (17) et le repoussent élastiquement
dans une position dans laquelle le distributeur est dans son état de remplissage,
les moyens d'actionnement de soupapes (19) à commande électrique servant à déplacer
cet organe de commande de soupapes (17), à l'encontre de l'action de ces moyens de
sollicitation élastique (18), de façon à réaliser un passage du distributeur de son
état de remplissage à son état d'évacuation.
4. Distributeur-doseur conforme à la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les moyens
d'actionnement de soupapes (19) comprennent une électrovanne (61) qui est agencée
de façon à être mise sous tension pendant la durée de la période d'évacuation, de
manière à faire passer le distributeur de l'état de remplissage à l'état d'évacuation
et à maintenir ce distributeur dans cet état pendant cette durée de la période d'évacuation.
5. Distributeur-doseur conforme à la revendication 4, dans lequel les moyens d'actionnement
de soupapes (19) comprennent des moyens d'ouverture et de fermeture de circuit (81)
servant à alimenter en courant l'électrovanne (61) pendant la durée de la période
d'évacuation et à déconnecter ce courant de cet électrovanne (61) à la fin de cette
période d'évacuation.
6. Distributeur-doseur conforme à la revendication 4 ou 5, et comportant en outre
un organe de commande de soupapes (17) associé en fonctionnement aux soupapes d'entrée
et de sortie (14, 15), et des moyens de sollicitation élastique (18) qui sont associés
à cet organe de commande de soupapes (17) et le repoussent élastiquement dans une
position dans laquelle le distributeur est dans son état de remplissage, les moyens
d'actionnement de soupapes (19) servant à déplacer cet organe de commande de soupapes
(17), à l'encontre de l'action de ces moyens de sillicita- tion élastique (18), de
façon à réaliser un passage du distributeur de son état de remplissage à son état
d'évacuation, un organe de manoeuvre (62) associé à l'électrovanne (61) et pouvant
se déplacer sous l'effet de la mise sous tension de celle-ci, cet organe de manoeuvre
(62) étant mécaniquement associée à l'organe de commande de soupapes (17) et servant,
d'une part, à déplacer cet organe de commande de soupapes (17), à l'encontre de l'action
des moyens de sollicitation élastique (18), de la position initiale de cet organe
(17) dans laquelle le distributeur est dans l'état de remplissage vers une seconde
positon dans laquelle ce distributeur est dans son état d'évacuation, et, d'autre
part, à maintenir cet organe de commande de soupapes (17) dans ladite seconde position
aussi longtemps que l'électrovanne (61) est sous tension, les oyens de sollicitation
élastique (18) associés à l'organe de commande de soupapes (17) servant à rappeler
cet organe de commande (17) à sa position initiale et par conséquent à rappelerle
distributeur de son état d'évacuation à son état de remplissage lors de la mise hors
tension de l'électrovanne (61).
7. Distributeur-doseur conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le dispositif de minuterie (80, 81) est réglable de manière sélective
de façon à offrer à l'utilisateur un choix de différentes durées d'évacuation inférieures
à la durée nécessaire à une évacuation complète du contenu de la chambre de dosage
(11), et à permettre ainsi un choix parmi des quantités de matière à distribuer inférieures
à la capacité totale de cette chambre de distribution (11).
8. Distributeur-doseur conforme à la revendication 7, comportant en outre un certain
nombre d'interrupteurs de sélection de quantité manoeuvrables à la main et dont l'un
quelconque peut être choisi par un utilisateur pour une quantité correspondante de
matière à distribuer, ces interrupteurs de sélection de quantité (43) étant reliés
au dispositif de minuterie (80, 81) de façon à déterminer la période d'évacuation
et par conséquent la quantité de matière à distribuer.
9. Distributeur-doseur conforme à la revendication 8, et comportant en outre un interrupteur
principal (93) qui peut être actionné par l'utilisateur pour déclencher une opération
de distribution, les moyens de commande de soupapes (16) nécessitant, pour commencer
l'opération de distribution, un court invervalle de temps de retard entre la manoeuvre
de l'un des interrupteurs de sélection de quantité (83) par l'utilisateur et l'acceptation
d'un signal provenant de cet interrupteur principal (93).